Q: What are the qualities of a good photograph?

Students will learn the elements and principles of design and apply them to photography. You will examine the work of some of the most important photographers before creating some of their own photos using IPods and IPads. We will be introduced to various apps. Design and composition will be the focus of the work at this stage of their work.

Assignment #1: Design and Composition in the work of Famous Photographers

You will work with a partner to explore one design/composition concept and then present it to the class. You will follow these steps

  • Select a concept from the list below:Research the concept and check in with the teacher to ensure that you have an understanding.

    • texture
    • line
    • geometric and organic shape
    • value/shading
    • symmetrical and asymmetrical balance
    • repetition and pattern
    • contrast
    • unity
    • emphasis
    • negative and positive space
    • leading lines
    • angle of view (birds eye, eye level, low angle)
    • framing
    • rule of thirds
  • Find five examples of photography that illustrate the design/composition concept from the list of famous photographers below:Create a presentation using Google Presentation (include the definition of the design/composition concept and the five supporting images. Be sure to indicate the photographers name and an explanation of how each photograph shows the design concept.

    • Ansel Adams
    • Yousuf Karsh
    • Robert Capa
    • Henri Cartier-Bresson
    • Dorothea Lange
    • Jerry Uelsman
    • Annie Liebowitz
    • Brassai
    • Jay Maisel
    • Brian Duffy

Links for design elements and principles
Photography Composition
Photography Composition2
Photography Composition3



Assignment #2: Design and Composition in My Work

Now that you have a good understanding of design and composition you will take your own photographs that represent each idea. Your task will be to use an Ipad or Ipod to take photographs of each of the following concepts:

  • texture
  • line
  • geometric and organic shape
  • value/shading
  • symmetrical and asymmetrical balance
  • repetition and pattern
  • contrast
  • unity
  • emphasis
  • negative and positive space
  • leading lines
  • angle of view (birds eye, eye level, low angle)
  • framing
  • rule of thirds
You will use the apps located on your Ipads to edit (Snapseed, Pixlromatic, etc.). Your images will be placed into a Google presentation (with a slide for each photo, a title of each concept, and a label explaining how you showed each concept.
At the end of each class, you must upload all of your photos to your Google drive account. Use the app.

A poster on using colour in design:
color-communication-guide.png